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Pre 2008 News

27th October 2007

The last couple of months have seen continued development and progress with the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car.

The last pieces of safety equipment were ordered and despite a few hic-ups, all have been received and fitted to the car.

Further fire-ups of the car have taken place with different fuel systems and settings tested. We are very grateful that we have been offered facilities that enable the car to be fired up. To be able to do this without incurring the wrath of neighbours who may not be that sympathetic to having their weekends disturbed by the noise of a nitro engine is a very big help !

Last weekend saw another big step forward. The car was driven and moved under its own power for the first time.

If you recall from when the car was launched, Nobby stated very clearly that our intention was to test as much as we could (and as much as we could afford !)  in private. This would enable both the driver and the crew to get comfortable with the demands of running a Nitro Funny Car, without the added pressure of learning and testing under the glare of the public eye at an International meeting at Santa Pod. While we know that testing in private can only address certain things, we will continue to do as much as we can over the winter.

We are also keeping up-to-date with the latest developments from the US with regard to chassis development. As you may know, Eric Medlin tragically died following a crash earlier in the year that resulted in extensive changes being made to many cars in the area around the roll cage. More recently, John Force had a horrendous accident that saw his chassis split in two. Most US cars have undergone significant strengthening to the chassis where his broke.

The relentless search for funding to enable us to to race continues. Please contact us if you can help or are aware of people or companies that may be in a position to join us. A championship for Funny Cars did not take place in 2007, but, as reported in Eurodragster amongst other places, things do look promising for something in 2008. Clearly participation in a championship costs money in terms of both racing expenses and logistics such as travel. Based on the strong performances our friends from the Showtime team put together, along with the new cars from Knut's stable, next year promises to be a fantastic year for the Funny Cars. We look forward to be part of the show.

Finally, we are working on a couple of other initiatives that we know you will find of interest, and look forward to advising you of them shortly.

We really do appreciate your on going support and once again thank you for your continued encouragement and best wishes.

11th August 2007

By Royal Appointment.....

As noted below, the team attended The Royal Sandringham Flower Show on July 25th 2007. A general show that attracted over 50,000 visitors, the team had a prime slot and gave away 1,000's of stickers and hero cards to the many interested spectators, including the local police force.....

The safety gear has now arrived and is being fitted.  We're nearly there folks !

June 24th 2007

Latest news from the team is that the first test drive is getting closer with the arrival of all the safety gear expected any day now. There are still loads of things to get done, chassis being inspected and tagged and so on, but all of these 100's of things are being painstakingly addressed.

In what will probably the last appearance at a static show before the car starts appearing at its rightful place, the team are delighted to have been invited to attend the Royal Sandringham Flower Show on July 25th 2007.  Who knows, maybe we can solicit some interest in the car and the sport from the Royal Family....... If anyone is in the area do please come by and say hello.

April 22nd 2007

With thanks to our friends and partners at Emagine Productions, we are really pleased to show you a short film of the first fire up of the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car.

The team sincerely thank you all for the feedback and ongoing support we receive. We are all taken aback by the positive support that we have received and in particular the email traffic over the last week since we told you about the first fire up has been fantastic.

Click here to see the film.

April 19th 2007

As promised earlier this week, we are pleased to bring your more news on developments occurring within the NH Racing Team.

We are delighted to announce that Jason Phelps has joined the team as the new driver. He will be commencing testing and licensing duties very shortly.

Junior Olley has left the team and we all wish him well with his future racing plans.

April 15th 2007

A significant step took place today in the development of the NH Racing Nitro Funny car; the engine was fired up in anger for the first time. In front of a small select group of people, the engine burst into life at long last, consuming a few gallons of 90% nitro! We will be bringing your more news soon on further developments within the team.

February 3rd 2007

What's been happening ?

Its been some time since our last update but there has been some further progress and developments behind the scenes towards the goal of getting the Houndog Funny Car onto the strip.

As was reported on one or two web sites, we were guests of the Showtime Team at the Flame and Thunder meeting at Santa Pod in November. Taking up a kind invite from Bob Jarrett we got close to seeing how the Funny Car guys do their stuff in the current environment, it was a great experience and very helpful. A big thanks to Bob, John Spuffard, Bill Sherratt and the rest of the crew for the invitation and help and advice.

The following weekend the engine in The NH Racing Nitro Funny Car was totally stripped down and rebuilt ready for that all important first start. Based on the meeting and suggestions from the Showtime guys, some more parts were required which arrived just before Christmas.

At the time of writing, even more parts are winging their way across the Atlantic which we expect to get any day now.

The European drag racing websites seem to be full of stories of people building or buying fuel funny cars for 2007. All we know is that we look forward to mixing it with them and once again, thank you for your interest and on-going support for Nobby Hills Racing.

Finally on February 1st it was announced that Nobby will be one of five inductees into the British Drag Racing Hall of Fame: Courtesy of Eurodragster.com it was stated that "The British Drag Racing Hall Of Fame continues into its second successful year with a new set of five inductees joining the initial ten in this historic and prestigious list of names. Nominees are eligible by dint of having driven/ridden owned, designed, built, maintained, prepared, promoted, officiated, supported or taken part in British drag racing in any capacity, having been involved for at least twenty years or having made a significant and recognisable contribution to the sport. "

The write up for Nobby stated:
Nobby Hills has been involved in drag racing since the sport started in Europe in the 1960s. He was inspired to build his first car after having witnessed match races between Sydney Allard and Dante Duce in 1963. The first in a line of Houndog cars was introduced at the 1964 Drag Fest meetings. Nobby is primarily interested in the engineering side of the sport and mainly used hired drivers, including Les Hill, Mike Hutcherson, Owen Hayward and Alan Bates. After having run six front-engined dragsters, the opportunity to buy Paula Murphy's STP-sponsored Plymouth Duster Funny Car in 1973 was grabbed and Nobby ran Nitro Funny Cars from this point onwards, following up the Duster with a Vega, Challenger and a Corvette that was the first to record a five in 1986. After a hiatus from active involvement of almost two decades, Nobby Hills Racing have constructed a nitro-burning Camaro Funny Car, which we can't wait to see go down the track.

For Sale.....Want to help the team ? 1

The old Corvette funny car body is for sale. The first Fuel Funny Car to record a 5 second time slip is currently sitting unloved in Nobby's back yard. The plan was always to rebuild it to its former glory but lack of time and the need to invest money in the new car will not see that happening for the foreseeable future.

The glass and internal tin have been dumped compared with the photos below, but what you see is what you get !

The original chassis was for sale on ebay recently, maybe get in touch with the owner and rebuild a piece of history.
So do you want to do it ?

Or do you want the body for another project ?

Make us an offer ! Contact us at nobbyhillsracing@NHRacing.com
(No timewasters, Nigerian princes or similar thank you.......)

For Sale.....Want to help the team ? 2

Also for sale is a 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.
7 litres of Caddy V8 with all the normal electronic equipment; 44,000 genuine miles, unmarked inside and out. Its brown with red velour interior.
New tyres with 1 1/2" whitewalls, a custom built stainless steel exhaust system and a variety of spares such as shockers, power steering pump, brake pads and disks.
Also included is a parts and workshop manual.

Again, make us a sensible offer or ask for more details via nobbyhillsracing@NHRacing.com
(And please......No timewasters, Nigerian princes or similar thank you.......)

19th July 2006

Nobby Hills Racing Drag Racing Services

With the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car built and ready to run and with the trailer and other team infrastructure issues completed, Nobby Hills Racing is pleased to now be able to offer its services to other drag racers.

Be it fine tuning and consultancy through to building a complete car, a trailer or anything associated with drag racing, Nobby Hills has unequalled experience in UK Drag Racing and would be pleased to help other racers who may not have the skills, time or facilities to undertake drag racing related projects.

Contacts within the performance parts industry both in the UK and US will enable parts to be sourced quickly and economically. Vastly experienced in welding and having access to state of the art welding equipment, no job will be too small or too big. From designing to building, any task can be covered in a cost effective and timely manner.

If you have any project that needs finishing or are considering a start up project, please feel free to contact us for further information.

Sponsorship Urgently Sought

With the news that there is a proposed Nitro Funny Car championship scheduled for 2007, the NH Racing team is continuing its search for sponsorship to enable the car to appear, race and mix it with the Showtime and Shockwave funny cars, (along with Gary Pages new ride and rumours of one or two other interested parties.....)

If you are interested in joining the team in any capacity, financial or product, or know anyone else who may be willing to, please do get in touch.

Show Appearance

In conjunction with Mothers Polishes and Wax, the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car will be on display at the 3rd Multi Story Car Show in Pryme Street, Hull over the weekend of 23rd and 24th of September 2006. If you are in the area, do please stop by and say hi, members of the team will be with the car all weekend.

15th May 2006

After the recent appearance at the Ironbridge Museum over Easter, where the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car was very well received and gained much attention, its now back to getting the car ready for what it's been built for; drag racing!

We are aware that some people believe we have only built the car to appear at static shows, but we can assure you that this is not the case. 

We make no apology for attending shows because they do help promote the car, its partners and the sport as a whole.

However, we continue to be extremely disappointed and frustrated that the car has yet to turn a wheel in anger as we maintain the search for the funding to race it. Despite this lack of funding, we are doing as much as we can to complete the package. There have been a number of deliveries from across the Atlantic of "go faster goodies" over the winter for example.

On this subject, we are pleased to announce that Earl's Performance Products and Cometic Gaskets have both joined the team as product partners. We thank them and the other partners already on board for the faith and confidence they have shown in the team and we fully intend to repay their help and kindness.

If any visitors to this site or supporters of the team are aware of any companies or individuals who would consider joining the Nobby Hills Racing Team as either a primary or associate partner, please do get in touch with us.
Any help, either financial or product, will be gratefully received, well promoted and will ensure that we can quickly get the car where it's supposed to be; racing the quarter mile.

Elvis...."The Houndog"... Our newest team member !

12th April 2006

While we would much rather be racing the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car at Santa Pod this Easter Weekend, we are still unable to race the car at this stage. Instead, as previously mentioned, the car is on display at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum in Shropshire.
Long-time team supporter Melvyn Holmes visited the show yesterday and kindly took some pictures to show you. The museum are expecting over 20,000 visitors over the Easter holidays, so at least the car and drag racing will get a good showing and hopefully get some further interest in the Funny Car and sport as a whole. If you are not going to the 'Pod and live in the area do try and visit and say hi to Nobby who will be answering questions from visitors.

14th March 2006

The NH Racing Nitro Funny Car will be on display at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum in Shropshire over the Easter holidays.
The museum is the birthplace of the Industrial revolution and a World Heritage Site. They are putting on a special Easter programme called "Whacky Wheels". To support the "design a buggy" activity the Funny Car will sit alongside an 1800's steam car and a solar powered car to give a range of what is possible!
If you are in the area, do please try and visit.

Movin' On.....
It's with a sincere thanks, for all his efforts in the past and best wishes for the future, that everyone from NH Racing bids Darren West a sad but fond farewell from the team.
His company Power Race Graphics is taking up more and more of his time and efforts and he therefore now feels unable to make the necessary commitments required to finish the NH Racing Nitro Funny Car project.
All the best Darren from your friends at Nobby Hills Racing.

10th January 2006

With thanks again to Emagine Productions the latest "documentary" is now available for general viewing, we hope you enjoy it.
Please click here to see it.

9th January 2006

There was obviously much discussion on when the car will be out racing and what the performance will be.
By the end of the evening the general consensus was that the car will run a 3.50 with a speed of about 400mph, but that may have been the drink that was having some influence on rational thinking..........

29th December 2005

Firstly, everyone associated with Nobby Hills Racing thank the many of you that continue to support and encourage the team in its efforts to return to the drag strip.

As you can probably appreciate a great deal of time and expense is required to get a Fuel Funny Car completed and competitive. 2005 has gone by so fast and it only seems like yesterday we were working on the trailer (see below)  and discussing when we would be out there racing…….as you will know we never got out there and that is something that we continue to be disappointed about.

The funding for one of there cars goes beyond getting the bits and putting them together, that piece of the equation has been completed for us now; the running costs are enormous and we continue to work hard in getting this piece of the package resolved.

That being said, we have now finished the trailer, the pit wagon and have done some more work elsewhere to get the overall package complete. None of this would have been possible without the help from many of our partners and in particular we would like to thank the following for their ongoing support:

Mick, Di and Stuart Nicholls from WHABS and Emagine Productions,
Mick Liney from Marine Fabrications,
Antony Billington from GMAX
and
all at www.HomesDirectInTheSun.com  

The project would have been even more difficult without the encouragement from Pumpkin and Tent Peg.
You know who you are and your comments have spurred us on more than you will know.

We are pleased to announce a new crew member to the team, Duncan Corp.
Duncan worked previously on one of the old Houndog funny cars when it was in the hands of Dave Prior and driven by his son Stuart; welcome onboard Duncan.

So with 2006 virtually upon us we thank you once again for your support, wish you and your close ones a happy and healthy year and look forward to seeing you at the drag races.

Best wishes

All At
Nobby Hills Racing

One of the objectives behind this site is to take you "behind the scenes" and try and give you a feel of what it takes to get a Nitro Funny Car Team ready and onto the strip. Nobby Hills Racing and the Houndog cars have been renowned for their preparation and showmanship.

The first in what will become a regular feature of articles is now being launched show the building of the trailer.

If money was no object a quick phone call to the States would be the solution. But not for NH Racing.

Designed by Nobby and built by him with help from various team members, the new trailer is a state-of-the-art 38 foot Goose-Neck that pulls as good as it looks.

We hope you enjoy the feature by clicking here.

20th July 2005

Although we may have been quiet for a while, work has continued at an unrelenting pace to complete the task of getting the car and team race ready. The trailer is now virtually complete, discussions continue with some interesting potential partners and we have been to a couple of shows recently which have continued to spread the word and help support the partners that have got us this far. Details can be found here:

12th March 2005

Those of you that attended the recent Xtreme Wheels show will have noticed a short film being run as part of the NH Racing stand. This showed the old Houndog cars in action and also some footage of the team working on the Camaro.
The film was put together, primarily for the show, by Emagine Productions who we are really excited to be working with on various fronts. There are some plans still being finalised with Emagine that we anticipate will significantly increase the profile of the car and the team in the very near future. Further details will be advised as soon as these plans become firmer and clearer.

Click here if you would like to download and see the film.

Finally there are some more "behind the scenes" pictures from the Xtreme wheels show, this time taken after the show closed on Sunday night. Click Galleries to see them.

21st February 2005

Latest news from NH Racing is that we are delighted to announce a new partner joining the team; WHABS (Ware Heating and Bathroom Supplies), who have joined a list of partners all of whom are working towards the goal of getting the Nobby Hills Racing Nitro Funny Car onto its rightful place, the drag strip, as soon as possible.

We have also included on the site some behind the scenes shots from the recent Xtreme Wheels show. The pictures show the car being prepared during the weekend prior to the show, being set up on the Friday and in front of the crowds on the Sunday. See Galleries.

(Both Eurodragster.com and Dragsterworld.com have posted some nice pictures and/or interviews/comments from the Xtreme Wheels show. All of us from the Nobby Hills Racing Team thank you for your continued support and interest.)

There are currently two static shows where the car is scheduled to appear; see Appearances for full details.

20th January 2005

Firstly a Happy New Year to you all.

We are very pleased to be invited to show the Nobby Hills Racing Nitro Funny Car at the Xtreme Wheels show again this year.
The show takes place over the weekend of 19th and 20th February 2005.
Various team members will be present throughout the weekend, so please come by and say hello.

3rd October 2004

With the drag racing season virtually over, certainly as far as the Fuel Funny Cars are concerned, we would like to take this opportunity to update you all with the situation regarding the Nobby Hills Racing Nitro Funny Car.

Firstly, we are all very disappointed that despite the best endeavours of many people, we have been unable to get the car onto its rightful place this year; the drag strip. 

When the car made its first public appearance at the Autosport show in January of this year, it was the firm intention of the team to be running this year. The car’s appearance was primarily to generate interest and exposure and to hopefully get that much needed commodity; sponsorship money. It was never intended to be a “show only” car. 

The focus has always been to get the car finished; get it finished to the high standards people have come to expect from the team and to make sure that when it did hit the strip it put on a good show and put in some credible performances.  

Despite the tragedy that Nobby and his family suffered earlier this year with the untimely death of their daughter Jodie, significant progress has been made to get the car finished and ready for racing and to build the team infrastructure, but regrettably not enough to have the car ready to race this year. 

What has been good, and has exceeded the teams expectations, is the interest and exposure that the car and the team have enjoyed this year. This has been a constant theme and surprise over the year at the public shows, that have been reported on this web site, plus some private shows and appearances that have taken place with some of our marketing partners. Significant positive feedback and interest has also been received via the web site and other forms of communication, e.g. Custom Car magazine recently featured an article on Nobby and the history of the Houndog cars.  Meridian TV interviewed Nobby prior to the September meeting at Santa Pod for a forthcoming TV program on Drag Racing.  

Clearly the names Nobby Hills and Houndog continue to generate a great deal of interest, be it from an historical perspective or with enthusiasm and expectation for the future.

The current situation with the car is that the engine is nearly complete and ready to run with the exception of some plumbing work; fuel lines etc. 

The safety equipment (fire bottles, seat belts, seat etc.) are also required but we anticipate these will arrive over the winter.

From a team infrastructure point of view, the current team personnel have all re-confirmed their commitment to the team and to the goal of getting the car finished and ready to race. Additional team members will be announced early in the New Year.

None of the work on the car or the engine would have been possible without the help and assistance from the committed marketing partners working with the team; to which we thank you all.

There are currently some detailed discussions taking place with both existing marketing partners and some new partners that we hope to bring on board for next year. If these discussions reach the hoped for fruition, the team will be able to step up and hit the quarter mile with a vengeance.

As ever, we will keep you informed of progress and developments via this web site. In the meantime, thanks to you all for you’re on going support and interest and we look forward to seeing you in 2005.

All At
Nobby Hills Racing

30th August 2004
A report of the cars appearance at the NSRA Supernationals has been posted on the website. 
Click here to access the report.

The latest Custom Car magazine, featuring a big article on Nobby Hills and the history of the Houndog cars, is currently on the newsstands as mentioned previously; catch it before its sold out.

As there are currently no more scheduled public appearances for the NH Racing Camaro, the engine is shortly due to be on the receiving end of some new parts that have recently been received. More news on this shortly.

24th July 2004
Another update with news that the NH Racing Camaro is due to appear at the NSRA Hot Rod Supernationals. Old Warden Park, Biggleswade, Bedforshire held on the 6th to 8th of August 2004.

Prior warning to keep your eyes peeled at your local newsagent. 
The next issue of Custom Car magazine (due on the newsstands on 20th August) will have a special feature on Nobby Hills and the succession of cars from the rails through to the Funny Cars.

Finally, with thanks to the editor of Linedancer magazine, we have re-produced a tribute to Jodie that they are running in their August edition. Click here to read it.

12th July 2004

Following the cars appearance at the Americana International Festival detailed below, we have updated the site with a short report and some pictures from the County Showground.
Click Here to access the report. 

26th June 2004

Latest news from the team is that we are pleased to confirm that the NHR Camaro will be on display at the Americana International Festival from July 9th to July 11th, 2004. 
Held at the County Showground, Winthorp, nr. Newark, Nottinghamshire, this event promises to be one of the biggest American Lifestyle events in Europe.

We now have our first line of merchandise for the team, some fantastic "New Dog, Same Old Tricks" tee-shirts. Check out the Merchandise link on the left for details how to show your support and order them.

12th May 2004

This website has been updated with picture and a short write up of the car and teams appearance at the Damn Yankees Show, North Weld Aerodrome on Sunday May 2nd. 
Click Here to access the report. 

Meanwhile work is continuing on numerous fronts to complete the car and to address the many other issues associated with going racing and putting on a professional show. 

10th April 2004

TRIBUTE TO JODIE HILLS, WHO TRAGICALLY DIED ON APRIL 7th 2004
By Anne and Nobby, sister Katie aged 20 and Grandpa Arthur Ecott.

“There are no words to describe our utter shock and the devastation we feel at the loss of Jodie. She was kind, caring, generous, thoughtful and funny. We are a very close family and Jodie was a bright light in our world, quick to offer support and always ready to lend a hand. We will miss her terribly our family is not complete without Jodie.”

Jodie was passionate about country music and line dancing, drag racing and cars – with her own pride and joy a Pontiac Firebird. She spent many years teaching the technical routines of line dancing to avid pupils, beginning as a youngster aged just 12 and by the time she was 16 she was teaching her own classes. She taught under the banner of Jodie’s Country and passed her instructors exams in Blackpool. 

“She brought a great deal of happiness in the lives of the people she taught dancing. Although she was a shy person Jodie came into her own when at the front of a class and she was able to share her skills and knowledge with people from all walks of life.”

She spent her early years in and around dragsters and drag strips, going along to race meetings in the UK and in Europe and tagging along to press shoots. She attended her first meeting at Santa Pod when she was just a few months old. 

Jodie shared the disappointment with the rest of her family when Nobby had to retire from the sport in 1990. Extremely proud of her father’s achievements in drag racing, Jodie had been instrumental in helping Nobby build the new Nobby Hills Racing Camaro. Being of virtually the same height as drivers Owen and Junior Olley, the entire cockpit layout, levers, pedals and even the position of the steering were built around her. 

For the future, Jodie had planned to book a course to learn to drive an articulated truck in order that she could help by taking the new Funny Car to races and shows.

Jodie will be deeply missed by family and friends and all who knew her.

23rd March 2004
Latest news from the team is that Nobby and Co. are currently busy finishing the much needed trailer that will be used throughout the season. 

The next scheduled public appearance of the NHR Camaro will be at The Damn Yankees May Day Nationals at North Weald, Essex on May 2nd. 

We have now updated this site with pictures showing the construction of the car during 2003 and early 2004 prior to its public launch at the Autosport show in January 2004. Click on the Gallery link on the left.

Details of a new partner have also been added; JOR Performance Parts (owned by new driver Junior Olley), yet another company  helping to get the Nobby Hills Racing Chevrolet Camaro onto the 1/4 mile. Click on the Partners link on the left.

Keep visiting this site for news as and when it happens.